Boot binding for a snowboard

ABSTRACT

A snowboard binding system provides a step-in binding that can be used with a soft boot having a sole that is flexible over its entire length without the boot becoming uncoupled due to its flexing. This is accomplished by having one element of the binding constantly urging the associated binding member which is attached to the boot away from the other binding element. This binding element is also displaceable which allows both binding elements to be engaged simultaneously. The rear binding element has a jaw which is normally biased to an open position where it receives the associated binding member which is attached to the boot. As the boot is pushed downwardly the jaw is moved to a latched position where it engages the binding member on the boot. When the jaw is fully in its latched position it is engaged by a locking mechanism which locks it in this position. A release mechanism allows the locking mechanism to be disengaged when it is desired to release the binding.

REFERENCE TO PRIOR APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application is a continuation in part of application Ser. No. 09/567,380 filed on May 10, 2000, which is a continuation of application Ser. No. 09/087,874 filed on Jun. 1, 1998, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,062,586, which is a continuation in part of application Ser. No. 08/931,099 filed on Sep. 15, 1997, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,941,553.

BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The subject invention relates to a step-in binding for snowboards and, in particular to a step-in binding which can be utilized with a “soft” or flexible boot.

[0003] The background of the invention is discussed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,062,586 and the background section of that patent is incorporated herein by reference.

[0004] The subject invention provides a system for attaching a snowboard boot having a bendably resilient sole to a snowboard. The system includes front and rear securement members which are attachable to the sole of the boot in recesses located near its toe and the heel ends respectively. Front and rear latching members, which are configured to releasably engage the front and rear securement members, are mounted on the upper surface of the snowboard. One of the latching members urges its associated securement member away from the other latching and securement members to prevent the securement member from being released from the latching member due to flexing of the boot.

[0005] The latching member that urges its respective securement member away from the other latching and securement member is displaceable toward the other latching and securement member when its respective securement member is pushed downwardly onto it to allow both coupling and securement members to be engaged simultaneously by inserting the boot normal to the plane of the snowboard.

[0006] In one embodiment of the invention the rear latching member includes a jaw which is moveable between a latched position where it engages the rear securement member and an open position where the rear securement member is released. The jaw normally is biased to its open position, and when the rear securement member is inserted into the jaw and pushed down the jaw moves to its latched position. When the jaw is moved to its latched position a locking mechanism engages the jaw and locks it in this position. A release mechanism allows the latching mechanism to be disengaged when the binding is to be released.

[0007] The foregoing and other objectives, features, and advantages of the invention will be more readily understood upon consideration of the following detailed description of the invention, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a snowboard binding embodying the subject invention.

[0009]FIG. 2 is a side elevation view showing the binding of the subject invention, installed on a snowboard, and a snowboard boot which are in position to be coupled to one another.

[0010]FIG. 3 is a plan view of the binding of FIG. 1 installed on a binding plate.

[0011]FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken on the line 4-4 of FIG. 3.

[0012]FIG. 5 is a detailed view, at an enlarged scale, of the front coupling member of the invention in its coupled position.

[0013]FIG. 6 is a detailed view, at an enlarged scale, of the rear coupling element of the invention immediately before it is coupled.

[0014]FIG. 7 is a detailed view, at an enlarged scale, of the rear coupling element when it is coupled.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0015] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2 of the drawings, a snowboard binding 10 has a front securement member 12 which is attachable to the sole 14 of a boot 16, in a recess 18. In the embodiment illustrated the front securement member is a thin bar 13 having a bottom face 15 which is angled downwardly as it extends forwardly. A rear securement member 20 also is attachable to the sole 14 in the recess 18. In the embodiment illustrated the rear securement member is a semi-cylindrical rod 21. If desired, the boot can have different recesses for the front and rear securement member rather than having them mounted in the same recesses as shown. The front securement member preferably is located proximate the toe portion 22 of the sole and the rear securement member preferably is located proximate the heel portion 24. While the binding can be utilized with hard boots, soft boots or hybrid boots, it is particularly suitable for soft boots. A soft boot has a sole which is flexible over its entire extent, and in particular is tortionally flexible. This flexibility gives the rider the ability to perform maneuvers which would be very difficult, if not impossible, with a hard boot. The remainder of the binding is shown as a unitary element 26 which is attached to the snowboard 27. This permits the binding to be sold separately from the mounting plate 28 it operates in conjunction with. This is not essential, however, and the various components could be separate pieces which are attached to the mounting plate 28.

[0016] Located at the front of the binding is a front latching member, or toe piece 30, and located at the rear of the binding is a rear latching member 32. In the center of the binding is a mounting ring 33, which is used to attach the binding to the mounting plate 28 and the snowboard 27. Referring now also to FIGS. 4 and 5, the front latching member 30 includes a pair of side-by-side rails 34. Located between the rails 34 is a catch 36 having a central tab 38 which faces toward the toe end of the boot. The catch is rotatably mounted on an axle 40. Springs 42 normally urge the catch 36 forwardly to the position shown in FIG. 1, where the tab 38 is substantially parallel with the snowboard. The top surface 44 of the tab 38 is sloped downwardly as it extends forwardly. Thus, if the bar 13 of the front securement member 12 is pushed downwardly on the catch 36 the sloped surfaces interact to rotate the catch rearwardly against the springs 42. When the bar has moved past the catch the spring moves the catch forwardly again over the top of the bar. While the front latching member is shown as a rotatable catch, all that is required is that it be deflectable rearwardly when the front securement member is pushed downwardly against it and then returned to engage the front securement member when it has passed.

[0017] Referring now to FIGS. 1, 3, 4, 6 and 7, the rear latching member 32 includes a pair of side-by-side rails 46. Rotatably mounted on the inside of each rail 46 on an axle 48 is a jaw 50. The jaws 50 are interconnected by a bar 51. Jaws 50 have curved engagement surfaces 52. A spring 54 urges the jaws to open positions, FIG. 6, where the engagement surfaces face generally upwardly. The engagement surfaces are shaped such that when the rod 21 is placed on them and pushed downwardly the jaws are rotated to latched positions, FIG. 7, where hooks 56 on the jaws fit over the rod 21. When the jaws are in their latched positions a pin 56, which is slidably located in slots 58 in the rails 46, is pulled under the jaws by a spring 60 to lock the jaws in their latched positions. Located in the rails 46 are troughs 62 which are generally aligned with the engagement surfaces when the jaws are in their open positions. The troughs ensure that the rod 21 is located on the engagement surfaces, and prevents the rod from moving forwardly when the jaws are in their latched positions. Attached to the back side of the pin 56 is a cable 64. The cable 64 bends around a pulley 66 and exits to the side of the mounting plate to a release device 68. The cable bends around a second pulley 70 in the release device and terminates in a handle 52. By raising the handle the rider can pull the pin 56 out from under the jaws 50 which allows the spring 54 to rotate the jaws to their open positions where the bar 21 can be removed.

[0018] The mounting ring 33 includes a ledge 74 which receives a cylindrical clamp plate 76. The clamp plate has a pair of slots 78 located in it. Screws 80 extend through the slots into threaded openings, not shown, in the snowboard. When the screws 80 are tightened the clamp plate clamps the binding to the snowboard. This arrangement also permits changing the angular location of the binding relative to the snowboard. The edges of the binding are undercut, not shown, so that the edges of the binding plate 28 fit under them. Thus, the binding plate is clamped to the snowboard by the clamp plate 76 also.

[0019] The binding of the subject invention allows the heel and toe portions to be coupled simultaneously by inserting the boot substantially normal to the plane of the snowboard. When the boot is placed into the binding the rod 21 will seat itself in the trough 62. Further downward movement of the rod 21 causes the jaws 50 to rotate to their latched positions and the springs 60 will pull the pin 56 into its locking position under the jaws. The distance between the front and rear securement members on the boot are such that when the rod 21 is in the trough the bar 13 is above the tab 38 on the catch 36. As the boot is moved closer to the snowboard the sloped surfaces 15 and 44 interact to deflect the catch until the bar 13 has passed under it. The springs 42 then cause the catch to return where it engages the bar, FIGS. 4 and 5. However, the spacing of the front and rear securement members is such that the catch does not fully return and the springs 42 cause the catch to exert continuous forward pressure on the bar 13. Thus, the front and rear securement members are continuously urged apart. This prevents the binding from uncoupling when the sole of the boot flexes during use.

[0020] The terms and expressions which have been employed in the foregoing specification are used therein as terms of description and not of limitation, and there is no intention, in the use of such terms and expressions, of excluding equivalents of the features shown and described or portions thereof, it being recognized that the scope of the invention is defined and limited only by the claims which follow. 

1. A system for attaching a snowboard boot having a bendably resilient sole to a snowboard, comprising: (a) a front coupling including a front securement member which is adapted for attachment to a toe end of a snowboard boot having a bendably resilient sole containing a front cavity which completely receives said front securement member, and a front latching member which is attached to the snowboard and releasably engages said front securement member; (b) a rear coupling including a rear securement member which is adapted for attachment to a heel end of a snowboard boot having a bendably resistant sole containing a rear cavity which completely receives said rear securement member, and a rear latching member which is attached to the snowboard and releasably engages said rear securement member; (c) said front and rear couplings being separated from one another along an axis defined on said snowboard, wherein (d) the latching member of one of said coupling members holds the associated securement member immovable along said axis; and (e) the latching member of the other of said coupling members urges the associated securement member away from said one of said coupling members to prevent the flexing of said sole from causing said securement member to be released from said latching member.
 2. A system for attaching a snowboard boot to a snowboard, comprising: (a) a snowboard boot having a sole which is bendably resilient, said sole having a toe end and a heel end; (b) a front coupling including a front securement member which is fixably attached to said sole proximate the toe end completely within a recess defined in said sole, and a front latching member which is attached to the snowboard and releasably engages said front securement member; (c) a rear coupling member including a rear securement member which is fixably attached to said sole proximate the heel end completely within a recess defined in said sole, and a rear latching member which is attached to the snowboard and releasably engages said rear securement member; (d) said front and rear couplings being separated from one another along an axis defined on said snowboard; wherein (e) the latching member of one of said coupling members holds the associated securement member immovable along said axis; and (f) the latching member of the other of said coupling members urges the associated securement member away from said one of said coupling members to prevent the flexing of said sole from causing said securement member from being released from said latching member.
 3. A system for attaching a snowboard boot to a snowboard having a planar upper surface, comprising: (a) a front coupling including a front securement member which is adapted for attachment to a toe end of a snowboard boot having a bendably resilient sole containing a front cavity which completely receives said front securement member, and a front latching member which is attached to the snowboard and releasably engages said front securement member; (b) a rear coupling including a rear securement member which is adapted for attachment to a heel end of a snowboard boot having a bendably resilient sole containing a rear cavity which completely receives said rear securement member, and a rear latching member which is attached to the snowboard and releasably engages said rear securement member; (c) said rear securement and latching members being configured such that said rear securement member becomes engaged by said rear latching member when said rear securement member is inserted into said rear latching member in a direction which is substantially normal to the plane of said snowboard; and (d) said front latching member includes a catch which is displaceable toward said rear coupling, and said front securement member is configured to displace said catch when said front securement member is inserted into said front latching member substantially normal to the plane of said snowboard and to release said catch when said front securement member is fully inserted into said front latching member to cause engagement there between.
 4. The system of claim 1 wherein said rear latching member comprises: (a) a jaw which is movable between a latched position where it engages said rear securement member and an open position where said rear securement member is released, said jaw being normally biased to its open position; (b) said jaw and rear securement members being configured so that when said rear securement member is inserted into said rear latching member said jaw is moved to its latched position; (c) a locking mechanism which engages said jaw and prevents its movement when said jaw has been moved to its latched position; and (d) a release mechanism which permits said locking mechanism to be disengaged from said jaw to permit said jaw to move back to its open position.
 5. The system of claim 4 wherein said rear latching mechanism includes a trough which cooperates with said jaw to cause said rear securement member to move said jaw to its latched position and to cause said jaw to engage said rear securement member.
 6. The system of claim 4 wherein said locking mechanism is normally urged to a locked position where it prevents movement of said jaw out of its latched position.
 7. The system of claim 6 wherein said locking mechanism is a moveable pin.
 8. The system of claim 7 wherein said release mechanism is a cable which is attached to said pin, and a release handle which is connected to said cable.
 9. A step-in binding for joining a snowboard boot, having a sole which is tortionally resilient along its entire length so as to be readily bendable, to a snowboard, said binding comprising a toe piece, mountable on a planer upper surface of a snowboard, which is deflectable rearwardly when a matching securement element mountable on a snowboard boot is urged against said toe piece by being moved toward the snowboard along a line which is substantially normal to the plane of the snowboard, and then is released to engage said securement member.
 10. A step-in binding for joining a snowboard boot to a snowboard comprising: (a) a rear securement member which is adapted to be mounted in a recess in a snowboard boot; (b) a rear latching member which releasable engages said rear securement member, including: (i) a jaw which is moveable between a latched position where it engages said rear securement member and an open position where said rear securement member is released, said jaw being normally biased to its open position; (ii) said jaw and rear securement members being configured so that when said rear securement member is inserted into said jaw said rear latching member is moved to its latched position; (iii) a locking mechanism which engages said jaw and prevents its movement when said jaw has been moved to its latched position; and (iv) a release mechanism which permits said locking mechanism to be disengaged from said jaw to permit said jaw to move back to its open position.
 11. The binding of claim 10 wherein said rear latching mechanism includes a trough which cooperates with said jaw to cause said rear securement member to move said jaw to its latched position and to cause said jaw to engage said rear securement member.
 12. The binding of claim 10 wherein said locking mechanism is normally urged to a locked position where it prevents movement of said jaw out of its latched position.
 13. The binding of claim 12 wherein said latching mechanism is a moveable pin.
 14. The binding of claim 13 wherein said release mechanism is a cable which is attached to said pin and a release handle which is connected to said cable.
 15. A step-in binding for joining a snowboard boot to a snowboard, comprising a snowboard boot having a sole that is tortionally resilient along its entire length so as to be readily bendable, said sole having a first securement and a second securement, said first securement being spaced from said second securement and said securements being mounted within a recessed portion in said sole.
 16. A step-in binding for joining a snowboard boot to a snowboard, comprising a snowboard boot having a toe end, a heel end, a sole, and front and rear longitudinally spaced securement members fixedly attached to the sole proximate the toe and heel ends, respectively, and depending therefrom, each of said front and rear securement members being located within a recessed portion formed in said sole, said sole being tortionally resilient along its entire length so as to be readily bendable. 